purgatory chasm state reservation

DebS921

This gorgeous chasm is a gem. The terrain of the chasm itself is fairly rigorous for able-bodied people. Very young children or folks who have difficulty with balance or strength may find it overly challenging, and it could be a safety concern. There are also lovely, more gentle walking trails, and people can make the hike or walk as brief or long as they like. AMAZING place, and deliciously free.

autotrip

Over the years we have visited, hiked, cooked out and enjoyed Purgatory Chasm State Park, but since we live only 5 minutes from there, we often overlook how nice a place it really is. If you are looking for amusement park fun, it is not that, but hiking though the Chasm is very enjoyable and if that is a little too challenging, there are several walking/hiking trails to keep you occupied. A great place to bring children for good, clean, outdoor fun and a good family cookout, without all the high tech distractions. Nice children playscape and plenty of grills, swings, etc for children to enjoy. All for no charge.

G5821VVrichardk

We live about 10 minutes from Purgatory Chasm State Reservation. It is a great area for family picnics, meeting friends and for couples. You can choose to hike the rocks and crevices (but be careful) or, alternately, walk the several trails through the state forest. They also have cooking/grilling facilities and picnic tables and they welcome pets. Definitely worth a visit and it is free!

EricT581

I wouldn't go with super young kids, but later elementary school / middle school kids is ideal. Going in the chasm gives the kids a chance to clamber over jumbled rocks and explore nooks. Pretty muddy if there has been rain recently which could be either good or bad depending on your goals. Wear decent shoes that have good grip.

abarber

This was our first visit to Purgatory Chasm, and we will definitely be back! It's a fantastic park for families. Older kids will enjoy scrambling over the rocks in the Chasm itself. My husband wore our two year old in a backpack carrier on the way down through the Chasm. However, once we were through that portion of the trail, she was able to walk as the trial looped up over the chasm and back.There are also multiple picnic areas, an information lodge with very clean bathrooms, and a really fantastic playground. This playground is well-shaded and has a few elements I haven't seen before, including a large, netted merry-go-round that the older kids couldn't get enough of. We enjoyed our visit so much that we'll be back every year!

S2363UKkateb

Is a nice 1-2 hour rest stop as part of a bigger day. Free! Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to walk in the chasm. I enjoyed it but I little more signage would have been helpful. I wouldn't recommend for family with young children.

626cliffw

I usually come here with the kids at least once a year it seems.... Great hiking ... Nice scenery.... You can crawl through some caves if you choose.... Trails are pretty well laid out.... I enjoy this place my 10year old loves being on the rocks.... Totally check it out if you're near it....

emilyc650

I visit Purgatory Chasm in Sutton at least once a year. The main point of interest is the chasm itself which is between 10 and 30 feet wide, up to about 70 feet deep and a quarter mile long. The formation of the chasm is unknown, though t is widely thought to be due to the erosion of a weak point n the bedrock by the last glacier more than 12,000 years ago. The sides of the caverns can be climbed, and there are crevices in the chasm that can be explored. Much of the bottom of the chasm is strewn with rocks which are fun to clamber across. There is a trail at the bottom of the chasm and at the top along both sides of the chasm.But there is more, there are numerous hiking trails in the state reservation including one that leads to a smaller chasm, which has some potholes formed by the runoff of melting ice from the last glacial retreat. In the warmer months, many birds and flowers can be seen in the trails behind the chasm.The park has a large parking lot as well as street parking as well as a visitor's center. The parking lot often overflows into street parking. It is easily accessible from Route 146 in Sutton

744tomd

Beautiful area, great for hiking and picnics. Its hard to believe there is a highway only a couple of miles away when hiking on the trails

638gailb

If you want to learn about nature with the family this is the place to go The air's. Clean you can picnic or hike there to see nature at it's best

Windygnf

This place is fabulous and it's free! Glad we went early in the day, because by the time we left, there were a lot of small children and dogs. Make sure your shoes have good grippy soles - rocks can be slippery. Trails have different color paint markings which makes it pretty easy to follow (and there are also paper maps available). Some parts of the Chasm had rather large bolders, but you can usually find easier ways to get up. The woods are peaceful. There are plenty of picnic tables, including a covered pavilion with an ice cream/hot dog truck. There is also a playground and huge rock to slide down. Great outing for all ages.

Vulcan1600

The chasm trail is fun for the whole family. The rocks and small caves can be challenging but there are ways to bypass the more difficult obstacles. The loop trails back to the top are wooded and peaceful with a moderate slope. The bathrooms were clean by state park standards.

Dreamingmother

My kids are 7 and 10 and LOVED how high they could climb on these huge rocks. There are tall cliffs and caves and they had fun finding their own secret places. The path was clearly marked and once I got beyond my panic that they were going to fall and split their head open, I had a lot fun. The rocks can be tricky to climb so I would wear great shoes, have no fears about heights, and definitely go when it's dry so the rocks aren't slippery. Nice ice cream truck is parked by picnic area which is an added bonus. Picnic areas were clean and in nice locations. Playground was great and my older child loved the swings that she thought were for grown ups (they were higher). Huge bonus is that dogs are welcomed and our dog had a great time!

crzymorgs4

It's a great FREE activity to do on a nice day. Be sure to pack a lunch for the great picnic areas they have. Wear your sneakers or hiking shoes to climb the rocks and go into the caves. Don't forget your flashlights too!! Our kids are 6 and 9 and love it!

127keitht

With adequate parking and nice views, Purgatory Chasm is suitable for adults and children of average fitness. It's not exactly Crawford Notch (NH), but it's a nice enough place to spend a couple of hours wandering.